Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 7-4-29
Chimneys and towers (Rochester Housing Code)
Operative Text
Chimneys, cooling towers, smoke stacks, and similar appurtenances shall be maintained structurally safe and sound, and in good repair. Exposed surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather- coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment. More than ten percent of the pointing of any masonry chimney or more than 25 percent of the pointing of any masonry wall is loose, has fallen out, or otherwise does not exist.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-4-29 establishes structural and maintenance standards for chimneys, cooling towers, smokestacks, and similar structures. These appurtenances must be kept structurally sound and in good repair, with exposed metal or wood surfaces protected from weather through coatings such as paint. The provision also sets specific thresholds for masonry deterioration: more than 10% of pointing lost on a chimney, or more than 25% on a masonry wall, constitutes a violation of the standard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-4-29, compliant property operators generally conduct routine inspections of chimneys, cooling towers, and smokestacks to confirm structural integrity and identify deteriorating mortar joints before thresholds are exceeded. Operators typically maintain records of weather-coating applications on exposed metal and wood surfaces to demonstrate ongoing upkeep. Proactive tuckpointing of masonry chimneys and walls helps ensure that mortar loss stays well below the 10% and 25% limits specified in the provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Rochester, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7-4-29 establishes minimum conditions that chimneys and similar structures at a rental property must meet, including limits on how much masonry pointing can be missing or deteriorated. If a tenant observes crumbling mortar, unprotected metal or wood surfaces, or structurally unsound chimney or tower conditions, those observations may be relevant to a housing code complaint filed with Rochester's local code enforcement or housing inspection authority. Tenant-rights organizations in the Rochester area can help residents understand how this provision relates to habitability concerns and what general options exist for raising a potential violation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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